PHOTOS - Building demolition work now in progress at Pleasure Island

[mickey2008.1]

Hey PI was fine, it filled a need. The wharf will just be more chain restaurants that are FF.

Like I asked earlier, when will the wharf be redeveloped. I give it a decade before the numbers drop and tdo realizes their mistake.

I agree. It filled a need, but unfortunately it was the wrong need with the right motive. It went too far with nightclubs towards younger(21-25 and less) crowds, when it should have been focused on keeping mature crowds contained, not public intoxication on the streets and in cheesy dance clubs. Rules got lax, and bad things invaded. Give some adult places, but dont allow drinking all over wandering streets, hence the demise of PI. I was one of those 25 year old partying drinkers on the street, and while it was fun at the time, and probably would be now, its not for the disney "family" so if it was contained to 3 or 4 establishments, and not on the streets, it could work.

 

[flavious27]

I agree. It filled a need, but unfortunately it was the wrong need with the right motive. It went too far with nightclubs towards younger(21-25 and less) crowds, when it should have been focused on keeping mature crowds contained, not public intoxication on the streets and in cheesy dance clubs. Rules got lax, and bad things invaded. Give some adult places, but dont allow drinking all over wandering streets, hence the demise of PI. I was one of those 25 year old partying drinkers on the street, and while it was fun at the time, and probably would be now, its not for the disney "family" so if it was contained to 3 or 4 establishments, and not on the streets, it could work.

true, but that started about the time that you walk through without having to pay a pass to visit all of the clubs. That $20 admission ticket took away from the amount of drinks people could buy.

The variety of clubs was needed to justify the cover charge and find a place you like.

 

[Scar Junior]

true, but that started about the time that you walk through without having to pay a pass to visit all of the clubs. That $20 admission ticket took away from the amount of drinks people could buy.

The variety of clubs was needed to justify the cover charge and find a place you like.

Agreed. The cover charge was outrageous. The drinks were quite expensive (and weak.) The AC was the only place I was happy to overpay because it was such a great concept and establishment.

I saw a number of fist fights amongst locals... I wonder if those incidents have any impact on the current/future adult nightlife options or it's 100% a numbers decision.

 

[flavious27]

Agreed. The cover charge was outrageous. The drinks were quite expensive (and weak.) The AC was the only place I was happy to overpay because it was such a great concept and establishment.

I saw a number of fist fights amongst locals... I wonder if those incidents have any impact on the current/future adult nightlife options or it's 100% a numbers decision.

fist fights break out in the parks, alcohol at 11 pm can't be faulted for ever locals problem at wdw.

The cover was alot, but I think it kept the locals and young out so it would guest only, especially when one trip to PI was included in lots of vacation packages.

It is a numbers game right now, they want FF places and d those places will be chains that will cost less for wdw to run.

 

[zulemara]

20 dollars for 7 clubs is not a lot of money at all. Maybe in other parts of the country where the only drinking establishments are hole in the wall bars, but seriously, those clubs had top of the line sound and light systems and we all love the entertainment provided by the 2 comedy clubs. How is that not well worth 20 dollars?

 

[redsfan4life]

I never frequented Motion but will be extremely upset when I see pictures of my two hangouts being destroyed. CW and AC maybe they will be a pleasant surprise to final wharf plans , though I doubt it

 

[jt04]

Only about 20% of Motions remained as of yesterday so most likely it is deconstructed by this time. It reminds me of the demo of Horizons and the wand. Of course I mean that in a good way. :wave:

Beach Club is a much more substantial structure but I'd guess it would be gone by the end of the month. And the vistas should be marvelous. And that is one of the big reasons for Hyperion Wharf.

 

[zulemara]

Only about 20% of Motions remained as of yesterday so most likely it is deconstructed by this time. It reminds me of the demo of Horizons and the wand. Of course I mean that in a good way. :wave:

Beach Club is a much more substantial structure but I'd guess it would be gone by the end of the month. And the vistas should be marvelous. And that is one of the big reasons for Hyperion Wharf.

you know that when they created WS, they made a big open grassy area that had a clear view of the lake and they planned to have entertainment there. They never did that, no one sits there, and it now has stands selling DVC and pins or something blocking the view of the grassy area. Just sayin...

 

[Mammymouse]

I rarely drink alcohol so maybe one drink (if any) would do me just fine. The rest of my family is similar so dance clubs with bars are not our thing. There are gift shops everywhere in the Parks and Resorts and I think we have almost every stuffed toy made and accessory for her bedroom for our 6 year old granddaughter already, so shopping will not entice us to Hyperion. But good entertainment - free or ticketed, indoor or outdoor, family or adult (prefer family though) - would be the biggest draw to entice us.

 

[mickey2008.1]

It was expensive back in the day, but it was worth it for one night. I really dont want to see a bunch of crappy chains, they have enough with rainforest cafe. Need i say more. yes! Overpriced crap!

 

[T-1MILLION]

It was expensive back in the day, but it was worth it for one night. I really dont want to see a bunch of crappy chains, they have enough with rainforest cafe. Need i say more. yes! Overpriced crap!

SHOP EAT AND SHOP. Who needs all that extra entertainment in the way? Disneyquest and Overpcied Cirque show are enough!

 

[joe80x86]

I agree. It filled a need, but unfortunately it was the wrong need with the right motive. It went too far with nightclubs towards younger(21-25 and less) crowds, when it should have been focused on keeping mature crowds contained, not public intoxication on the streets and in cheesy dance clubs. Rules got lax, and bad things invaded. Give some adult places, but dont allow drinking all over wandering streets, hence the demise of PI. I was one of those 25 year old partying drinkers on the street, and while it was fun at the time, and probably would be now, its not for the disney "family" so if it was contained to 3 or 4 establishments, and not on the streets, it could work.

Yeah, the drunks on the busses were a little much. Not that people still can't get falling down drunk at DTD or even Epcot but the closure helps limit it. :sohappy:

I can't say I will ever miss it.

 

[I-4Warrior]

Not that I liked Motion...but I know Beach Club is next

Sadly, I think you're right. Beach Club was my favorite (with Motion my second favorite). Lots of fond memories of those two clubs in particular. I hate that they took PI away, and this brings back the frustration with a vengeance.

 

[Biff215]

I spent a lot of time at the clubs back when I was on my CP in 2000. We had some great times, but it also made it fairly obvious to me why Disney would want out of that business. First of all, PI was closed off then and required admission. This was often a crowd control nightmare as security attempted to check ID's and deal with those who were arriving drunk (often the 18-20 crowd, which I was at the time). The problems continued throughout the Island as security would have to handle underage drinkers and those out on the streets who had too much to drink.

Secondly, a great majority of PI's crowds were CM's. At first, Disney gave us one night a week with free admission, which soon became two nights. It didn't happen when I was there, but soon after I believe there was a period when this was expanded even further. This tells me that PI wasn't attracting enough guests to be profitable so Disney tried to pull in some money from its own. The problem with that was many CM's (and in particular CP's) simply showed up drunk, enjoyed the clubs, maybe started some trouble, and left without spending a dime. I knew several coworkers who were sent home by Disney because they were caught drinking underage while at PI. This only added to the aggravation.

I'm certainly not saying that PI didn't have its place at Disney or that it wasn't enjoyed by plenty of responsible adults. I just don't blame Disney for pulling the plug and moving away from this type of entertainment. By putting the responsibility in the hands of third party vendors, they can add new offerings without many of the headaches.

I will miss Beach Club, however. We spent a lot of fun times there with some great live bands.

 

[tirian]

I spent a lot of time at the clubs back when I was on my CP in 2000. We had some great times, but it also made it fairly obvious to me why Disney would want out of that business. First of all, PI was closed off then and required admission. This was often a crowd control nightmare as security attempted to check ID's and deal with those who were arriving drunk (often the 18-20 crowd, which I was at the time). The problems continued throughout the Island as security would have to handle underage drinkers and those out on the streets who had too much to drink.

Secondly, a great majority of PI's crowds were CM's. At first, Disney gave us one night a week with free admission, which soon became two nights. It didn't happen when I was there, but soon after I believe there was a period when this was expanded even further. This tells me that PI wasn't attracting enough guests to be profitable so Disney tried to pull in some money from its own. The problem with that was many CM's (and in particular CP's) simply showed up drunk, enjoyed the clubs, maybe started some trouble, and left without spending a dime. I knew several coworkers who were sent home by Disney because they were caught drinking underage while at PI. This only added to the aggravation.

I'm certainly not saying that PI didn't have its place at Disney or that it wasn't enjoyed by plenty of responsible adults. I just don't blame Disney for pulling the plug and moving away from this type of entertainment. By putting the responsibility in the hands of third party vendors, they can add new offerings without many of the headaches.

I will miss Beach Club, however. We spent a lot of fun times there with some great live bands.

:sohappy:

Thank you for a levelheaded response. You might get flamed for it, but you're right nonetheless.

By the time PI closed, every night was free for CMs. It had completely lost its luster, and removing the turnstiles was a last-ditch effort to try to get guests onto the island.

This was a depressing fall from PI's beginnings. In the late 80s, WDW advertisements focused on everything the resort offered, not just princesses. Epcot and the MGM Studios had made WDW a destination for adults without kids. Touchstone was releasing "Three Men and a Baby," "Roger Rabbit," and "D**k Tracy." Disney was nearing the top of its renaissance, and "Beauty and the Beast" hadn't been released yet. A controlled nightclub district fell perfectly into Touchstone territory, and Disney hadn't corroded its WDW brand into a preschool demographic.

PI reflected Disney's desire to attract and KEEP everyone at WDW, and it initially worked. The comedy and music clubs actually had A-list headliners for special events—when was the last time WDW had an A-lister for anything?—and the atmosphere captured the spirit of the late 80s and early 90s.

But did PI really belong on Disney property? It was always more Touchstone than Disney, and when the club scene changed in the late 90s and early 2000s, Disney couldn't keep up with society without alienating the majority of its guests. PI could pull off "Touchstone," but it couldn't be "Paris Hilton."

IMO, PI is a textbook example of how Disney screws up when they try to be hip. (Example #2: the awful Mickey Mouse show at DCA.)

There is one exception: the Adventurer's Club. Despite its adult-leaning humor and alcohol, the AC was the most "Disney" property on PI, and therefore its best. Attendance fell because PI fell, not because the AC itself was poor. Disney should have kept it for Hyperion Wharf.

 

[flavious27]

SHOP EAT AND SHOP. Who needs all that extra entertainment in the way? Disneyquest and Overpcied Cirque show are enough!

And the AMC 24, yay seeing movies while on vacation.

 

[flavious27]

Yeah, the drunks on the busses were a little much. Not that people still can't get falling down drunk at DTD or even Epcot but the closure helps limit it. :sohappy:

I can't say I will ever miss it.

But those jam packed buses at 2am with only adults were fun, it is a disney memory that you can't replicate again.

 

[flavious27]

:sohappy:

Thank you for a levelheaded response. You might get flamed for it, but you're right nonetheless.

By the time PI closed, every night was free for CMs. It had completely lost its luster, and removing the turnstiles was a last-ditch effort to try to get guests onto the island.

This was a depressing fall from PI's beginnings. In the late 80s, WDW advertisements focused on everything the resort offered, not just princesses. Epcot and the MGM Studios had made WDW a destination for adults without kids. Touchstone was releasing "Three Men and a Baby," "Roger Rabbit," and "D**k Tracy." Disney was nearing the top of its renaissance, and "Beauty and the Beast" hadn't been released yet. A controlled nightclub district fell perfectly into Touchstone territory, and Disney hadn't corroded its WDW brand into a preschool demographic.

PI reflected Disney's desire to attract and KEEP everyone at WDW, and it initially worked. The comedy and music clubs actually had A-list headliners for special events—when was the last time WDW had an A-lister for anything?—and the atmosphere captured the spirit of the late 80s and early 90s.

But did PI really belong on Disney property? It was always more Touchstone than Disney, and when the club scene changed in the late 90s and early 2000s, Disney couldn't keep up with society without alienating the majority of its guests. PI could pull off "Touchstone," but it couldn't be "Paris Hilton."

IMO, PI is a textbook example of how Disney screws up when they try to be hip. (Example #2: the awful Mickey Mouse show at DCA.)

There is one exception: the Adventurer's Club. Despite its adult-leaning humor and alcohol, the AC was the most "Disney" property on PI, and therefore its best. Attendance fell because PI fell, not because the AC itself was poor. Disney should have kept it for Hyperion Wharf.

If underage CMs were a big problem, then admission to PI should not have been free.

Anytime disney just wipes an area or land away, there is going to be discussions on what caused it and if it is the right solution.

Disney should have kept the focus of PI on being an area just for adult guests, like it was just another park at wdw and it is on phased closure.

As for checking IDs, if guests added a night of PI onto their key to the world, it would only allow those 21 or older to do so. When guests would enter PI, they would need to get their hand scanned to verify their identity like the parks do.

 

[wdw4brits]

It's a shame to see pleasure island going! Though I'm sure Disney will replace it with something equally as great!

 

[redshoesrock]

And the AMC 24, yay seeing movies while on vacation.

Now that's a -tad- disingenuous don't you think? I know for a fact that tons and TONS of locals go to that AMC. And I have to say I'm looking forward to the "fork and screen" theater being added to the AMC - I have been to the Alamo Drafthouse and there is nothing cooler than eating a good dinner while watching a movie.